(Previously 'Year of Vulnerability') – Follow me as I try to live life on the vulnerable side

I’m back. Still black. And think we need to keep talking about racism!

Last year I wrote a post – Back to Black 🙋🏿 when I felt angry and upset about the treatment of black people in America after reading a book by Michael Moore. That was one of the quickest posts I have written, even though most of it was done with tear filled eyes and I was using my mobile phone. That is how much I felt I had to put my point across.

I’ve had similar feelings brewing this week following the news scandal surrounding clothing giant’s H&M and their ‘racist’ advertising where a young black boy was modelling a jumper that said ‘Coolest Monkey in the Jungle’ whilst stood next to a white boy who’s jumper said ‘Official Survival Expert’.

I first saw this on Tuesday morning whilst I did my morning scroll of Facebook. My first thoughts:

“2018 and this shit is still happening?!”

Followed by:

“I wonder what the trolls have got to say about this!”

At first I wasn’t going to post my points of view but an uneasy feeling kept with me throughout the week so I saw it as a sign that I needed to write.

Do I personally believe that H&M were being racist? No

Do I think they were being ignorant and unconsciously biased against black people? Yes – 100%

The reason I say this is because a lot of people, myself included have hidden biases. My blog post Results from the IAT 😶 delves deeper into the test. I also include the link to where you can take the test yourself.

I used to air my thoughts in the heat of the moment without actually thinking about the point I wanted to get across. All that did was lead to a defence on defence conversation with all parties involved feeling more riled up than first started, and further away from a resolution.

So I took the time to read people’s point of views, trying to understand the opinions from the opposite side:

They’re just jumpers for children – loads of people call their children monkeys. It doesn’t mean anything.

People are too sensitive these days. The PC brigade are always out in force.

Black people are always looking for a way to play the black card.

I’m not racist so I don’t see this as racist.

Only people who think that black people look like monkeys will find this top offensive. So if you find this offensive, then you’re the racist one.

Your experiences are in the past. Slavery and segregation ended years ago – things are better now. I’s time to move on

If the boy’s mum doesn’t think it’s racist. Neither should you.

Since breaking out of my cocoon and removing the blinkers from my eyes I have seen so much underhand racism that although these comments pissed me off, I really wasn’t surprised. What actually surprised me more were the sheer number of people who kept in the shadow, sneaking out a thumb to like a post before quickly retreating to like another post of a similar vein.

I wonder how many of these people before taking to social media to get angry or to support the anger, actually took the time to ask a black person how they personally felt about the advertising?

If someone asked me how I felt, I would have shared a story from my past:

As most people who follow my blog know. I was born in the 80’s and raised by a white family in Leeds, which is a rather multicultural city but not without it’s problems. We used to holiday on the East coast, seaside towns which were far from multicultural. I was always the only black person wherever we went and I got used to that.

This one holiday in Hornsea, I don’t recall how old I was but was not yet a teenager. Me, my brother, sister and cousins went to the Floral Hall, which was like a community centre, as I think there was a party on there. On the way back to the caravan we got followed by a group of boys who had singled me out and were out to hurt me. Shouting:

“You black monkey. Get on your banana boat and back to the jungle”.

Fortunately for me, I had the protection of my family. I can remember the four of them hiding me from the disgust in each of the bullies eyes. My brother and boy cousin yelled back at them to fuck off and threw stones at them until they went away. I didn’t understand why they were being so mean. I didn’t know what a banana boat was or why they were calling me a monkey. They didn’t even know me. I wanted to go back to Leeds.

I am just one person BUT I know I will not be the only person to have a similar racist story to tell – which featured someone calling them a monkey.

I would have then said, still upset for having to relive the ordeal.

“That H&M were in the wrong and I don’t think the advertising should have got the seal of approval. As one of the comments above states ‘It’s in the past’ {my experience}. For which I agree BUT the tears I just cried are in this moment “

AND

“That I was sad for all the arguments that would materialise from this. Creating more ‘us and them’ silos and opportunities for cyber bullying.”

All you have to do is watch football to see that monkey chants are still alive. I’m not sure how many of the people who were defending the top took to Google to see how many times football fans abused black players in 2017? On the first page I came across 3 separate stories. The last one a mere 4 months ago! One player even got a banana thrown at him on the pitch when he went to take a corner. So it still does mean something to some people!

I could give my opinion, followed by a story, followed by a statistic, followed by evidence that my research has brought up to provide a response to each of the statements I included above. But that would turn the blog into a research paper and look like I’m forcefully trying to change people’s opinions.

So I will end with this………………….

We have a long way to go with tackling racism, which is why I wish everyone would take their part and actually listen and learn from those that are facing it. Act with empathy and not defence. The same goes for other inequality issues.

What you may see is an innocent boy in a cute slogan top but what many see is a nod to the haters (that still use this word as an insult) and a step back in time. What many feel are old wounds being reopened before they have had chance to heal.

I see this as an opportunity. An opportunity to talk. To talk about privilege. To talk about solutions. Yes, it can feel uncomfortable to talk about butthe important things always are!

Back at the caravan at a happier time. I was offended and no I don’t think I look like a monkey!

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Published by This Vulnerable Life

Living life with a happy head and a childlike nature. I'm about fun, health and happiness.
I enjoy writing, personal development, travelling, trying new things and being a life long-learner.
This blog continues on from my year of vulnerability.
View all posts by This Vulnerable Life

22 thoughts on “I’m back. Still black. And think we need to keep talking about racism!”

First, at this point *everyone* understands what’s being said when comparing a black person to a monkey/chimpanzee/ape/etc. I would offer no doubt to what H&M is doing. They are either trying to appeal to a racist element or they are working on the model that all publicity is good publicity. Then they get to post a heartfelt apology and seem unifying.

Second, in America, this sort of racism, which used to be unacceptable is becoming more mainstream. A backlash against political correctness is a backlash against decency. The US president has made a huge portion of the US openly racist. For that I apologize.

You’re the second person to say that about H&M, it didn’t cross my mind but now it really does seem like a possible case. The things some people will do/say for money/power. It’s so disappointing that it is becoming mainstream – hopefully mainstream doesn’t mean accepting. I have hope that there are more people who are against and will speak out about it than let it happen. I’m currently reading a book about shock politics and I’m finding out so much about the US president. It’s making me angry.

I am sorry that you were treated the way you were as a kid. I wasn’t bullied due to racism, so I can’t completely understand how that would feel. I can empathize though, because as I was reading your story and your insights on this topic, I remembered a painful time in my life when I DESPERATELY tried to gain weight because everyone called me anorexic and taunted me about it. I really couldn’t gain the weight and I made myself sick trying. People assume before they try to understand. The bulletin board that makes it look easy to loose weight breaks my heart because I’ve been on the other side trying to gain it. It’s not easy. Of course, there are many other ways I could try and relate, but the bottom line is people need to think before they act. They need to consider others. They need to be willing to do the research. The change has to start somewhere, and from what I can see… It’s starting with you and all the other people who use their voice to give insight. Thank you for taking the time and energy to write what goes on inside your heart. I may have already said it once, but thank you for writing what is real instead of writing to appease your viewers.

Hello to you. Thank you for reading and taking the time to comment, it is much appreciated 🙂

I’m sorry that you were also bullied in your past and I’m sorry to hear how that affected you. People can be so cruel. I really love your comment ‘people assume before they try to understand’ such true words. I’m sure we are all guilty of it, but where others may assume and get on with their day, harming no-one in the process, it’s the ones that take to the bullying that cause the pain. My friend has constantly had to defend her weight to people as they’ve told her she’s too thin, looks ill, etc. I’m sorry that you’ve had to go through this too. For some reason many people think that it’s totally justified to give their opinions on someone’s weight if they are slim, no consideration, no filter! I do hope that something I write does make someone think and look at life from another perspective. Thank you for your kind words 🙂 x

I guess I don’t follow enough news/television because I am completely shocked to hear about this ad! And I’m sorry but in today’s age, there is no excuse for either the ignorance or feigning of ignorance that allowed such an ad to come out. The amount of time and money companies put into their ads leaves no room for someone to have not said something.

Hi Snuffy thanks for reading and for sharing your views. I totally agree that there’s no excuse for ignorance. People use it all too much as an excuse. I always try and look for the silver lining and this incident has led to some interesting conversations with friends.

Hi, I SO agree with you and your Line: “2018, and this Shit is still happening”! I am beyond belief that it EVER happened! I am over 50 and remember as a child, watching news programs of the horrible discrimination of other human beings- blacks in the 50’s and 60’s!
Many of the news programs were documented in the South.
I remember crying and not understanding what was going on and I still don’t!!
What the Hell!! Why?!
My parents taught me respect, respect every human being, every LIVING being!
I moved to the south from Denver, CO in 2006 and I am appalled by what I am witnessing- still.
I JUST CAN’T UNDERSTAND IT and I am sorry. We just have to continue to be strong and let our voices be heard –that it is NOT okay!
Thank you.

Thank you for taking the time to read and share your comment. Which made me well up. So very well said ‘We just have to continue to be strong and let our voices be heard –that it is NOT okay!’ – I was nervous to speak up at first but for things to change we need to keep speaking about it.

I’m so fortunate that I was born and raised in the UK as I don’t know how I would handle life in the US when I hear the stories of what is still happening.
Thank you.

So we’ll said and so true. I can’t help but wonder how many people at H&M as well as their lawyers, ad firms, photographers, etc., Saw the lay out and decided it was fine? We have a long, long, long way to go and I hope we actually get somewhere. Right now, it feels like we just keep spinning our wheels.
Great blog! P.S. Susie sent me.💕

Thanks 🙂
I thought the same. I know at my job – the approval process is long and so many people have to see it and tweak it before anything gets published! But then again – all you need to do is look at some bad advertising campaigns so maybe it’s different in the advertising world 😂
A very long way but I do have faith and believe we’re heading in the right direction.
❤️

Reading this is like reading about my own childhood. I was brought up by a white family, we holidayed in Margate and Weston Supermare and were often the only black children around (with my sister and brother). I remember being called jungle bunnies and monkeys too. So I am in agreement with you about the H&M advert and find it very irresponsible.

Thanks for taking the time and having the courage to share your personal experiences. (Cute picture btw!) A lot of (most?) white people feel discomfort when asked to confront, or even recognise racism, which is what’s at the root of the defensiveness you’ve identified in the comments above. I’m not making excuses – until white people are able to look at this stuff honestly, and really listen to people of colour when they talk about their experiences, change is going to be slow! I’ve noticed something similar happening when women try to get men to listen to their experiences of sexism. Most of the time, I believe things are moving in the right direction, although the pace of change can be frustrating, and the burden of calmly explaining, often over and over again, falls most heavily on the people who’ve already put up with the most crap… 😦

Hi Rebecca. You are welcome. And thanks – I used to be embarrassed about younger pictures of me because I was so dark but now although biased I do think I was a little cutie. I totally agree with you. Discomfort is something we want to take a wide berth from whenever possible. I used to hate having the conversation myself. It’s only been the past year that I actually have got more involved. I wrote another post https://thisvulnerablelife.com/2017/04/28/back-to-black-🙋🏿/ which I go more into it. I do think there is a shift happening but as you said it’s going to be slow but as long as we keep taking about this and other issues feminism, LGBT, disabilities and access needs we can get there. Thank you so much for stopping by and posting – I really appreciate it ☺️